I was not feeling overly inspired this morning. Still battling a cold that has gripped me throughout the Christmas season. Sometimes it is so hard to spend time with God when all you want to do is spend time with your pillow. But, persevere I shall. He has been telling the last few weeks to press in, press through, press on. To persevere even when I don't feel like it. It has been really encouraging to me, knowing He has His hand on my shoulder, comforting me and rooting for me. Some days I just don't feel like it, but boy oh boy, He is worth it. (that's another story for another time)
So, I sat in my reading chair with a yummy coffee and reading my morning email devotionals. How interesting it is to me to find that 2 devotionals, from separate authors in separate countries had very similar themes. Ooooh...is this my Heavenly Dad giving me my one word? Let's see...3 words jumped out at me. Dwell, Rest and Abide. But which one? So, I opened my Bible Dictionary and started reading up on those 3 words.
Rest: there were many definitions, but one words that stuck out at me were this; to lean, trust, rely: as to rest on a promise, to abide (oh...there's another word), to remain with. Greek word "Katapausis"
Dwell: a residence for life or shorter, but longer than a day, to continue, to be fixed in attention, to hang upon with fondness (I like that one), to continue long.
Abide: to rest or dwell (interesting), to tarry or stay for a short time (not what I am looking for), to continue permanently or in the same state, be firm, immovable, to remain (now we are getting warmer), to wait for, to be prepared for, to endure and to sustain.
Abide...I think I love this word. To be firm, immovable, to remain, wait for, prepare for, endure. This all falls in with what He has been speaking to me lately. Persist, press on, persevere.
All 3 words are key to having a closer relationship with our Papa God.
I don't know what your faith is, or if you even have a faith in God, but hey...if you have tried everything else to get out of a dark pit, why not give Him a go for a year. Ask for a word, receive it, study it, see what the Bible says about it, and, you never know what you will find at the end of the year. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
As 2017 winds down, I think of the upcoming New Year's Eve. I have never really liked New Year's Eve festivities. I don't know why...I guess I just don't see the big deal. To me it is an excuse for people to get drunk, fight big crowds and stand around in the cold (for those of us who live in a cold winter climate)...for what...just to kiss the one you love? I can do that anytime. What makes New Year's Eve so special...nothing, as far as I am concerned. Then comes the endless list of 'resolutions' and usually end up in failure and discouragement. I have never had a NY's resolution. What's the point.
This morning I read a devotional titled "What's my One Word for 2018" (click here to read it). I was intrigued. It was about God giving you a word to focus on for the year. To study it, to live it, to grow with it. Hmmmm....sounds interesting. His example was "joy". Look up what God says about joy in the Bible. Memorize joy scriptures and live with joy everyday. Ok. That sounds easy. Another lady shared that God gave her the word "boldness". She was intimidated because she didn't like confrontation, sharing the Gospel outright, etc. But, she accepted the challenge. I have found in the past that God will give you a word opposite to your greatest weakness. Gideon, who hid when God called him, was given the name "Mighty Man of Valour". That's exactly who he ended up to be. So, I am in. What could I get for a word? Rest (yes, I struggle with that), Pause (often...to think of Him), Joy (how to keep that no matter the circumstance), Blog (never been good at journaling). I guess I will have to wait until He gives me the word. Picking my own won't work because I need Him to accomplish what He wants me to do. So I will "wait", and ask, and wait. He will give me a word, of that I have no doubt. He's spoken to me before, so clearly that He could have been in the room. I need to "trust".
So, here's my question. What 'word' did He give you for 2018?
